Three-dimensional space game

ABSTRACT

A three-dimensional space game in which rocket ship configurated play pieces are first individually moved on a primary play surface, by the participants, from home base areas designated &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;rocket factories&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; to &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;hanger areas,&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and then along a path consisting of a plurality of delineated &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;move&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; areas to &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;launch pad&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; areas. From the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;launch pad&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; areas, the play pieces are moved individually upwardly along riser means to an &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;orbital tract&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;space stations&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; from which they &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;blast off&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and are moved further upwardly along additional riser means to a final goal, positioned thereabove, which may be designated &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Mars&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; or any other well-known space body. The movement of the play pieces about the three-dimensional play area is controlled by the numbers appearing on a pair of thrown dice, a number indicating spinner means or the like.

United States Patent 72] Inventor Joseph E. Gregory 834 Dupont Bldg., 169 East Flagler St., South Miami, Fla. 33143 [21] Appl. No. 842,955 [22] Filed July 18, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 19, 1971 s41 THREE-DIIVTENSlONAE SPACE GAME 9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs. [52] US. Cl ..273/l34AA, 273/134 G, 273/137 AC 51 1 Int. Cl A631 3/04 [50] Field of Search 273/131 B, 134A, 134 AB, 134 AA, 134 AD, 134 B, 134 G [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 859,692 7/1907 Robbins 273/134 AD 1,072,190 9/1913 Stein 273/134 F 1,981,646 11/1934 Hamley.... 273/131 B 2,990,181 6/1961 Lippold 273/134 AA 3,389,913 6/1968 Tunstall 273/134 A 3,514,111" '5/19'70 Crawford 273/"i34A OTHER REFERENCES German Printed Application; Reulein; #l,052,284; March 1959 273- 134A Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney-John Cyril Malloy ABSTRACT: A three-dimensional space game in which rocket ship configurated play pieces are first individually moved on a primary play surface, by the participants, from home base areas designated rocket factories to hanger areas," and then along a path consisting of a plurality of delineated move areas to launch pad areas. From the launch pad areas, the play pieces are moved individually upwardly along riser means to an orbital tract and space stations" from which they blast off and are moved further upwardly along additional riser means to a final goal, positioned thereabove, which may be designated Mars" or any other well-known space body. The movement of the play pieces about the three-dimensional play area is controlled by the numbers appearing on a pair of thrown dice, a number indicating spinner means or the like.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPACE GAME The present invention pertains to games and is more particularly directed to a space game incorporating a three-dimentional play area. The game utilizes play pieces, of rocket ship configuration, which are moved about a three-dimentional play area with a goal, simulating any well-known space body, being positioned at the top of the game structure. The game progresses by throwing a pair of dice or spinning a spinner means, either of which indicates a number which controls the length of movement of the play pieces about various delineated areas imprinted on or fixed to a primary play surface on a base member, as well as along support means which position the rocket ship play pieces in various locations and attitudes above the primary play surface to simulate space flight, including landing on space stations and the final goal Mars.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is, therefore, to provide an interesting game, particularly for children, which incorporates a three-dimentional play area for simulating the moving of a rocket ship from a factory" to a hanger area," and then onto a launch pad" for blastoff into space. After blastoff the rocket ship either lands on a space station or goes into orbit until making such a landing, at which time it is ready for blastofi into deep space with the ultimate goal of landing on the planet Mars.

Another object of the present invention is to include various legends in space and rocket terminology, imprinted on or fixed to the game structure, to increase the interest of the participants in the game by permitting them to discuss the progress of the game in space and rocket terminology.

A further object of the game is to provide various generally upwardly extending riser means and ring means simulating the orbital path of a rocket ship with support means on said riser and ring means to support the rocket ship play pieces in appropriate positions and attitudes to simulate flight above the primary play surface, and a final goal simulating Mars" or any other space body at the uppermost level of the game structure.

Yet another principal object of the present invention is to provide a game which has educational value for small children.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a game which combines the elements of chance and skill by enabling each participant to maneuver his rocket ships relative to areas such as the launch pads and space stations to take the shortest route to Mars.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimentional game structure which may be packaged in a relatively thin box and may be completely assembled or dismantled in a very short period of time.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a game structure of this type which is composed of a very few basic parts and is cheap to manufacture, preferably of molded plastic or of a combination of materials.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a plurality of the various elements incorporated in the general threedimensional structure whereby the participants may selectively assemble therefrom any of a plurality of various simulated planetary systems on which the game can be played.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game structure of the instant invention presenting a three-dimensional playing area;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the lower horizontal playing area;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the upper horizontal playing area;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the finish or goal area;

FIG. 5 is a modified form of the finish or goal area of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary exploded view illustrating the general method of assembling the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a miniature rocket ship which represents one of the play pieces utilized with the game of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a spinner which generally represents one type of move indicator means for the play pieces.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference characters designate-like parts throughout the various views, the numeral 10 generally designates the game structure of the present invention comprising, (a) a lower, horizontal, planar, primary play surface 12 on the top face of a structure base member 14, (b) an upper horizontal ring member 16 disposed above the play surface 12 in a plane generally parallel thereto and supported therefrom by a plurality of generally vertically disposed risers 18, in a manner to be described subsequently, and (c) an upper platform member 20 spaced above the ring 16 in a plane generally parallel thereto and supported therefrom by a plurality of risers 22, said platform member comprising the final goal for the rocket ship play pieces.

With reference to FIG. 2, the primary play surface 12 of the structure base member 14 is comprised of various delineated areas imprinted thereon or affixed thereto including names for some of said areas in space and rocket terminology as they apply to the play of the game. The play pieces, FIG. 7, indicated generally at 24, are in the form of small rocket ships and each player receives a plurality of said rocket ships, four by way of example, which will initially be positioned in a home base area 26 designated rocket factory." As illustrated, other base areas are included in addition to the four rocket factory areas 26 such as four hanger areas 28, one adjacent each rocket factory" and four launch pads" 30, intermediate the hanger areas. The hanger areas" 28 and launch pads" 30 are interconnected by a plurality of move areas 32 formed by generally equally spaced radially extending lines 34 between inner and outer concentric circles 36 and 38 respectively, to form a generally circular pattern comprised of the hanger areas," launch pads" and move areas.

While this circular pattern is preferred, it is obvious that the shape of the structure base member 14 and said pattern may be varied to any desired configuration as may the number of rocket factories, hanger areas," launch pads"and move areas. By varying the number of rocket factories" and hanger areas the game can be made to accommodate various maximum numbers of participants. As illustrated, the number of participants would be from two to four.

With reference to the horizontal ring member 16 and risers 18, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the ring member includes a plurality of intermediate base portions 40, representing space stations, which are interconnected by the arcuate segments 42. The risers 18 interconnect the structure base member 14 to the ring member 16. As best illustrated in FIG. 6, connector means are provided such as the reduced-diameter end portions 44 and 46 at the lower and upper ends respectively of each riser 18 which are adapted to be engaged in appropriately sized respective apertures 48 and 50 in the structure base member 14 and intermediate base portions 40 of the ring member 16. Outwardly and upwardly extending play piece support means such as pins 52 and 54 are provided on each vertical riser 18 and arcuate segment 42 respectively to support the rocket ship play pieces 24, as best illustrated in FIG. 6. Play piece orientation means composed of a pair of apertures 56, in the nose portion 58, and 60, in one fin portion 62, are provided in each of said play pieces 24 to be selectively utilized in combination with the support means to maintain the rocket ship play piece in the proper attitude to simulate the direction of the flight. The play piece orientation means are thus adapted to orientate the play pieces in both the vertical and horizontal planes. When the rocket ship 24 is in a vertical, climbing attitude the aperature 56 is utilized to be engaged about any one of the pins 52 on a vertical riser l8 and when the rocket ship 24 is in a simulated orbital attitude about the ring member 16, the aperture 60 may be engaged about any one of the pins 54.

The upper platform or goal member 20, as previously stated, is positioned above the ring member 16 and is supported therefrom by the plurality of upwardly converging risers 22. Angulated connection means, preferably reduceddiameter portions 66 and 68 at the respective ends of each riser 22 are adapted to be respectively engaged in appropriately sized apertures 70 and 72 in a space station and the platform member 20 as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6. The platform member 20 represents the moon or a planet, Mars, for instance, and is thefinal goal for the rocket ship play pieces 24.

The upwardly converging risers 22 include a plurality of spaced pins 74, similar to those on the risers 18 and the ring member 16, and, as illustrated in FIG. 6, are adapted to support the rocket ship play pieces 24 in the proper attitude to simulate the flight direction.

- FIG. 5 illustrates a somewhat modified form of attachment means of the upper ends 76 of the risers 22 to the platform member 20, each end 76 being pivotally pinned as at 79 in a slot 80 in the platform member 20.

While the structure as illustrated is a preferred form of the present invention, it is obvious that a considerable number of variations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the orbital path simulated by the ring member 16 need not be parallel to the base member 14 but can be angulated relative thereto by varying the lengths of the risers l8, and as previously stated, the number of rocket factor ies," hanger areas" and launch pads" as well as the space stations" may be collectively or individually varied.

It is also contemplated that various more complex designs may be utilized which would include for instance, an entire planetary system," in which each participant has an individual planet as his goal. The same principal of interlocking or plug in risers; space stations, ring members etc. could obviously be utilized in the same manner as illustrated and described.

A further modification would include a plurality of the various components as illustrated and described in different sizes and lengths whereby any one of a number of different designs can be constructed by the participants prior to playing the game. In this manner the participants would be provided with the means to construct any one of a variety of three-dimentional structures, in accordance with the present invention, each of which would represent a different planetary system which could be readily employed in teaching purposes.

PLAY OF THE GAME Each participant receives a set of rocket ship play pieces 24, four by way of example, each set being of a distinctively different color. At the outset of the game, each participant selects a rocket factory 26 and places his or her set of rocket ships thereon, preferably in an upright position on the trailing edges 86 ofthe fins.

The play is controlled by rolling a pair of dice or by a spinner needle 88, FIG. 8, mounted on a board 90 and having various area delineations, each having different number values. Each time a participant rolls or spins a predesignated number, seven for example, a rocket ship may be rolled" out of the factory base into the hanger area base and is then in play," and may be moved a number of spaces 32 as determined by subsequent rolls of the dice or spins of the needle 88.

From the hanger area, the first object is to transport" a rocket ship play piece to the closest launch pad base and if subsequent rolls or spins move a rocket ship thereon, the participant is then entitled to blast off" into space on his or her next turn. If, however, the rocket ship must be moved beyond the closest launch pad base as dictated by the dice or spinner, the participant must continue moving said rocket ship around the spaces 32 until it is positioned on a launch pad" base, from which he may blast off on his next turn.

When blastoff occurs, the rocket ship is moved upwardly along the pins 52 of a riser 18 adjacent the blast off launch pad" toward a space station base. The rocket ship is moved along the pins 52 as dictated by the dice or spinner and may be hung by means of the nose aperture 56 on any of said pins as illustrated in FIG. 6. If a number is rolled or spun which lands the rocket ship on a space station 40, it may then blast ofi on the participants next turn and begin its ascent to Mars. If, however, the rocket ship overshoots the space station base it must go in orbit around the ring 16 and continue in orbit" until it lands" on a space station" base. When in orbit" it is suspended from the pins 54 by means of the aperture 60 as illustrated in FIG. 6.

After blast oft" from a space station base, the destination is the final goal, Mars. The rocket ship is moved along a riser 22 on the pins 74, see FIG. 6, and a correct number must be rolled or spun to land the ship on Mars." The first participant who lands all of his or her rocket ships on Mars" is declared the game winner.

Various other rules may be imposed on the participants such as permitting no more than one rocket ship on any one launch pad38 base at the same time. If a new rocket ship is rolled" onto a pad already occupied, the new ship takes over and the other ship is sent back to its factory base for repairs. Also, a rule not permitting more than one rocket ship on any one pin 52, 54 or 74 would be in order. While it is realistic to permit one ship to pass another while in flight it is not so to permit two ships to occupy the same space. Therefore, in such an eventuality, the participant must move another of his rocket ships or if he has no other one out of the factory," he loses his turn.

The game would be placed in exactly the same manner with any of the various more complex structural designs mentioned, the only variation being the actual paths of travel and the final goal of each participant's rocket ship."

What is claimed is:

l. A three-dimensional game apparatus wherein chance means determine the extent of moves by playing pieces comprising, a plurality of simulated vehicle playing pieces comprising, a plurality of simulated vehicle playing pieces, a base member, indicia on said base member defining a path, means defining an elevated path for said playing pieces, means supporting said path defining means in an elevated position over said base member playing piece suspension means on both said path defining means, and said support means therefore, first means on each said playing piece for cooperating with said playing piece suspension means on said path supporting means for suspending said playing pieces in a first attitude, and second means on each said playing piece for cooperating with said playing piece suspension means on said path-defining means to suspend said pieces in a second, different attitude.

2. A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 including, means defining an elevated goal for said playing pieces, means supporting said goal in an elevated position over said elevated path and playing piece suspension means on said goal-supporting means for cooperating with said first means on each of said playing pieces for suspending said playing pieces in a third, different attitude.

3. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elevated path comprises a generally circular structure and said suspension means thereon comprises a plurality of generally outwardly extending pins in a spaced relation around said circular structure.

4. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said circular structure includes a plurality of bases, simulating space stations.

5. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which said circular structure includes a plurality of arcuate segments interconnecting said plurality of "space station" bases to define an orbital path" for said playing pieces.

6. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said indicia comprises a plurality of delineated start bases for the reception of the playing pieces at the start of a game, a like plurality of delineated secondary base areas, one adjoining each of said start bases, a plurality of delineated launch pad" base areas, and a plurality of delineated move areas interconnecting with said plurality of secondary base areas and launch pad base areas, forming an endless path.

7. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which said means supporting said path comprises a plurality of upwardly extending risers, each of which connects between said path and base member adjacent one of said launch pad bases and said playing piece suspension means on said support means comprises a plurality of generally outwardly extending pins, spaced along the length of each of said risers.

8. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 7 in which said means supporting said goal comprises a plurality of upwardly converging members and said playing piece suspension means thereon comprises a plurality of generally outwardly extending pins, spaced along the length of each of said members.

9. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said vehicle playing pieces is configurated like a rocket ship which includes a plurality of outwardly and rearwardly ex tending fins and said first and second means on each of said playing pieces respectively comprises a nose aperture and an aperture in one of said fins. 

1. A three-dimensional game apparatus wherein chance means determine the extent of moves by playing pieces comprising, a plurality of simulated vehicle playing pieces comprising, a plurality of simulated vehicle playing pieces, a base member, indicia on said base member defining a path, means defining an elevated path for said playing pieces, means supporting said path defining means in an elevated position over said base member playing piece suspension means on both said path defining means, and said support means therefore, first means on each said playing piece for cooperating with said playing piece suspension means on said path supporting means for suspending said playing pieces in a first attitude, and second means on each said playing piece for cooperating with said playing piece suspension means on said path-defining means to suspend said pieces in a second, different attitude.
 2. A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 including, means defining an elevated goal for said playing pieces, means supporting said goal in an elevated position over said elevated path and playing piece suspension means on said goal-supporting means for cooperating with said first means on each of said playing pieces for suspending said playing pieces in a third, different attitude.
 3. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elevated path comprises a generally circular structure and said suspension means thereon comprises a plurality of generally outwardly extending pins in a spaced relation around said circular structure.
 4. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said circular structure includes a plurality of bases, simulating ''''space stations.''''
 5. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which said circular structure includes a plurality of arcuate segments interconnecting said plurality of ''''space station'''' bases to define an ''''orbital path'''' for said playing pieces.
 6. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said indicia comprises a plurality of delineated start bases for the reception of the playing pieces at the start of a game, a like plurality of delineated secondary base areas, one adjoining each of said start bases, a plurality of delineated ''''launch pad'''' base areas, and a plurality of delineated move areas interconnecting with said plurality of secondary base areas and ''''launch pad'''' base areas, forming an endless path.
 7. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which said means supporting said path comprises a plurality of upwardly extending risers, each of which connects between said path and base member adjacent one of said ''''launch pad'''' bases and said playing piece suspension means on said support means comprises a plurality of generally outwardly extending pins, spaced along the length of each of said risers.
 8. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 7 in which said means supporting said goal comprises a plurality of upwardly converging members and said playing piece suspension means thereon comprises a plurality of generally outwardly extending pins, spaced along the length of each of said members.
 9. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said vehicle playing pieces is configurated like a rocket ship which includes a plurality of outwardly and rearwardly extending fins and said first and second means on each of said playing pieces respectively comprises a nose aperture and an aperture in one of said fins. 